Socio-economic background was measured using information on the means-tested parental contribution to students' living costs and tuition fees.
Tuition fees as well as the cost of board and lodging are all free to participating quartets.
At present, the vast majority of student radiographers are exempt from paying tuition fees.
This would also comfort their parents in terms of the curriculum and tuition fees.
In this light, while tuition fees steadily go up, to send children to school is not a more persuasive option.
The maximum grant will rise to £1,500 in 2005/06, and then again to £2,700 in 2006/07 when variable tuition fees are charged.
Only eighteen to twenty students are accepted per year, out of some twelve hundred applicants, and tuition fees were $24,330 last year.
Private institutions depend on tuition fees, sponsors and philanthropy.
